Expression-controlling means for musical instruments.



J. F. KELLY.

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED APILZZ, 190v.

Patented July 14,1914.

3 SHEETS$HEET 1. n T T J. P. KELLY.

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS,

APPLICATION FILED APR.22, 1907.

1,103,590. Patented July 14,1914

3 8HEETS-SHEET 2.

J. F. KELLY.

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED APILZZ, 1907.

1,103,590, Patented July 14,1914

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

1 MN a o u u 5! 0 tr up 8 a n I] a on m n 9 on u a u o {10 n o 9 u 5 I10 "0 D U!) a u l! I] I a an 9 B n M on o a no l1 0 [1H 1] H I] u n 111 w iNVENTOR #L ATTORNEYS I I I JE WITNESSES:

JOHN F. KELLY, OF'Pi'r-TS IELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXPRESSION-CONTROLLING MEANS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(1 mamoo.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14; 1914.

Application filed April 22, 1907. Serial No. 369,520.

To all lc/mm it may concern:

lie it known that l, Jonx F. KELLY,- a i-ilizui of tho l'nitod' States, residing at. liltsiichl. county of Berkshire, and State .of .\l:r.-: :|vln|.\:0lls. have invented certain new :uu] u 0fi|l lmprovcmcnts in Expression- (uuli-olling M'muis for Musical Instruments, fully ilvsvrihcgl and represented in th follmving s uwifirution aml the zu =.-.nnpanying drawings, forming :1 part of the same This invention relates to autonmtically ulu'rntul l'nusical insti-u|nents,'amlmoro'parf licnlm'lv lo a method and means for prohu-ing (lvsircil'cxprl-ssion in the production or romlcring-of a uulsiciil composition by surhnulonu ticully open-atoll instrun'icnts hy Aflflwugh,thc'invkultionin some of its fen,- lurosmziv, h;- cmploivegl for dotrmining the loiulncsi with \Vhiih the piece or composition :is o Wholcis phryud or' for determining the rolatiyv, loudness-"of nMbjS: plziyed in Succession. yet the inii-ntimijis intuilil m i-(-- pa 1 tim lzirl laud in somirf-its fcnt i'esrolatt's (spu'ially to tllo 'cln'pliaisi'llingi of one or more II-uraIityT of snnultnhoously souiulecl' or; n'iol{ulyto ho hrouuh-t' out distinctly :aboye l ll ucoordalurc-with tho'prcsbnt inv'n'tion,

instrument arogroufiil; so is tonvo'id the ncrcssify of zoxtrcnie subdivision "am l :it. the sumo time cnahlc th. desired velloctslo be reauliL prod-titted, and this :rgsiilt is obtained 1 by grouping o'r, g-ian'nQqtmg. togetherrloyu'cs cormspomln'ri totonoswvh'urh are nton'somin-re. that is.insteii(l;of groi'lpinig'or co'iinctmg' togeth'i-i' doylces' corres' 'idiidmg to a plurality of successivq t'onc's in thel cale, or in the-base of the p no' or other kyhouid in: strumontytones the; opor'ating -keys for soundmgwvhich sire Spending 'to tones-of; tho-same note. mine,

group, vdevices corresponding to B tones in playing-apparatus therefor to which the in- A. g for agztuatmg or controlhm such controlll 'of suitably connected lecti'oihugho an the invention linsben fu tin'gkleviros am lh 'reforc, also; tlupton g prodhcing flet'ies of the inpsical' naticplaying apparatus correspomllin its general structuro kind o'pgratiori tojth shown in United Stntksj'lntont No,

v ment'sof the'chariu-ter disclose il infsaid Pa arrzi iigetl togethe r, the actuating or tone; producing dev ces corre vention mainly relates, the soundin'g 'of the tones is controlled by a so-called musk; sheet or record sheet in which the vzirioil s notsf are represented bysuitable a ctuatingbroon 5o trolling devices, usually perforations, the position of which transversely of 'tho shot, determines the particular tone to boson (led and lengthwise of the sheet the 'tign' may order in which thesucc'essiye tdhsiir e 'to'gg5' be sounded. When the groups lhljoyg ferred to are to be controlled outdm'ij'tizi lly for the purpose of emphasizing indiif l tons, they are controlledin ocoordan. tho invontion'hy controllihgfieiii" in, turn are controlled through" th m' of s wcial porl'omtions" or pthor (l the music sheet, and in tonnioti oni uutojmntic control there ur also provided suitahlo finger keys or (1th (lv'ics arbitriirily or at 'willl Th0- inv'onti'on relates in soih hf turpsi especially" .to eloctriczillshot Iro'ntrolle l. playing pianos "0 2' other inusiuil in more. 'spocially to appurotus iof tns in. which the tone prdi' o ng ofI-the' piano or other musical ment iu'ea'ctuzited directly by .tho'op'ra ma do; more 7 attiularly with tl e-iden'of prm i cliugbxp mntrolliug'inoh ns' and espebiarlly ineizns emphasizingyindiviilu'al"notes in; im ziu instruments, on "the" applii o'tion 0f -T-. lmyers'and M. R. Jew'ell. Iiistea'd offes orting, to the use of resistnufge force of thQO orntinf: mag'nts in mstm 'invntion by changing the -im'pres sed ,electromotive force of themagnet circuits; Among'nther advantages of this method of controlling the strength of the-omrating i10 magnetg'is that a group of magnets maybe controlled through the operation of a single .1 0 pro- -vide for emphas Zing individual tones, the

operating magnets are grouped or connected in the manner already pointed out according to the conscnance of the tones which are to be produced throng the action of ch mag nets, that the do red tone or tones may be emphasized abo e others sounded simultaneously therewith by increasing the impressed elcctrometive force of the circuits to'the magnets of the particular group or groups corresponding to the tone or tones to be emphasized. The-circuits or branches leading to all the magnets of a group may thus be controlled by a single circuit. controlling device or switch, Whereas if resistance changing devices were depended upon for changing the magnetomotive force. of a group of magnets it would be necessary to provide a separate coil and contact for the circuit or branch leading to each magnet. This feature of the invention of varying the magnetomotive force of the operating magnets by changing the impressed electro motive forces of the magnet circuits .not to be limited, however, to use in a system of expression control in which the magnets are permanently: grouped in" the manner stated, as this method of effecting a. change in -the magneto-motive force by means of a note-sheet having a single row ofaccent perforations for controllingithe closure of the circuits of the magnets may be employed with other systems of grouping'or when the desired control oft-he circuits is secured without resorting to any system depending 'on permanent groups; and, on the other hand, the grouping of the operating magnets in instruments of the character disclosed by said Patent No. 753,809 according to the consonance of the tones to be sounded'is not in itsbroader aspectto be limited to a. system in which the changing of the magneto-motive"force of the magnets is effected by changing the electromotive forcsof the currents impressed on the magnet circuits. r

I am aware of the German patent to Sclmhhe No. 180,649, datedJanua-ry 29,-

1907, which shows broadly a system of accent-lug by varying the voltage of. the current impressed on the operating magnets, but my present inventiondifi'ers' therefrom in two important particulars, namely in the ,use of asiugle clectromagnetic-switch for opcningone circuit and closing another in the connections from the operating-magnets to differentpotential points of the source of electrical energy,- and second in the use. of it perforated note-sheet raving a single line of perforations for controlling the connections to the electro-magneti switch.

stren hot the o eratin ma nets bv channb u u c The method of changing the operating ing'the electromotive force of the currents impressed on the'magnet circuits may also be employed for simultaneously increasing or decreasing the loudness with which the music as a whole is rendered Oil the relati e' loudness of successive tones,-by providing suitable connections for cflecting the necessary change in the impressed elcctromotive force of the circuits leading to all the key actuating magnets, and means for doing this may be combined with means for effecting the emphasizing of the individual tones.

A full understanding of the invention can best be given by a detailed description of a complete systemproviding for both automatic and manual control, and such a description will now be given in connectionwith the accompanying drawings which shows so-much is necessary for an under standing of the invention ofian automatic playing app ,a-t-us similar to triat shown in said Patent of 753,809, provided with controlling devices and electrical connections for giving complete expression control in ac cordance with the present invention.

In said drawings, Figures 1 and 1 111115- .trat'e diagrammatically an application of the presenbinventibn to an'automatic play- .ing apparatus-similar to that shown in said Patent No.-753,809, only such parts of the playing apparatus and electrical connection's being shown asare required .toenable the present invention to be clearly illustrated. Fig. 2 shows a'portion of a perforated music sheet intended for'use in an instrument constructed in acmrdance with diagrams 1 and 1, and Fig. 3 is a similar viewbf a portion ofa perforated.-

mu'sic sheet for causing the samemusic tobe played in the apparatus of said Patent No; 753,809. Thesa'me music is also. written or represented on thesheet with Figs.

2 and 3 according'to the usualsyste'm of musical notational Fi 4 is'.a detail .hori-- zontal plauview'of t odouble-circ'uit 'con-f trollingswitch,; the section being taken slightly below'the upper surface of themsulating disk to which the contact plates aresecured.

- Referring show at the top a series of finger keys 2 representing the'keyboard of a. piano. These keys are'arranged in theusual manner .in

successive seriesv of-seveh natural or white keys for striking the A, B, C, etc, to G tones, and with the sharp r black keys for striking the A#, G#, Di, Fit and G# tones arranged between the proper natural tone keys. are located beneath-the keyboard, there being in the actualapparatus a magnet for each key. The diagram; tp avoid confusion of parts, shows only the magnets for'operating the A and A# keys. These magnets as shownare of the two pole form having to Figsl and 1, these figures The key operating magnets 3 a pivoted oscillating' armature 11 mounted between the poles and-thea rmature of-each magnet being connected with the underside o f its corresponding key by -connecting rods 12 and 13, whereby when anymagnet is energized and its armature rbta'tedthe key with which the-armature is connected will be drawn downwardto-cause the operation of the corresponding tone producing device oi'the piano; The rods-12 and 13 are connected together in the" manner shown-- and described in said Patent No. 753,869 so as not'- ,to interfere with the manual 0 eration of the fingerkeys of'the' piano. ach

of the key opera-ting magnets 3 is electrically connected with a, contract-device of the controlling or transmitting mechanlsm through whichconnection msybemade with lin ir mechanism.

one pole of a battery-10cc other suitable source of electrical energyfand each' is con- -nectedwith a wire I) whi'ehconnects with, b the other ,pole otthe battery, the magnets being thus located each in on independent branch circuit controlled by. acontactdevice forming part of the transmitting. or controle transmitting or controlling mechanism, as shown,-compr|ses a series ofcontact fingersor rods 32 adzt-p.ted to mike-con- 37 which are controlled. for causing-or permitting the contact fingers tocmakefiontact with -the=bg1r 3l 'byt-means-of e perforated nusic sheet 30.-

lhe music sheet travels over .an eccentricslly pivoted-reckingbridge 534, metre rocking fingers -37," which'tend to' move with thecOntact fingers in the dir'ec-' tion tocaluse the contactrfingersi w toengage i mg finger for effecting the engagement of its cone-'- spondingj cont-act finger with the bar 31'.-

' to the key operating 'thebar- 31, are supported eacli by means of a trailing point 38 which; enge-ges the'gsheet on-t-he line of its=su pport'by, the bridge 34," and the bridge 34 provided '{with' annular grooves 35 which correspoiid in position with the trailing 'points- 680 that when nperiorationain the'sheet comescbeneath .a trailing lpoint, the point will allowed to prpject trou'gh thesheet into-thegroove-in the bridge 34, thereby permitting the rock- 37ito make the required movement The connections from thg'eiiiitact c fingers 32 'gnets 3 are throiig'h' a seriesof ndjustahlenbsistsnce devices. As shown"; eachof the .oritactfingers from w iichco'nnection is'm ,gle toione of the key (meet a seriesof adjustable contact terminals 41 to the wile leading-tothe'keyopersiting uizignetf-The contact terminals 41' are iornred' by rods cizrricd. by a movable bar -means of rocking-fingers.-

x pair of rocking arms .20() and insulated from each other, as by malungthe. bar {200 of suitable insulating material. The resistance COllS 4-0 are also insulated from each other, and the connection between the contact finger 3'2 nnd the rocking fingers 37 is such as to avoid electrical connection between these parts, as by having the ends of the contact fingers i n= serted in suitable socket pieces 39 of insulating material carried by the rocking fingers. As before stated, the bar 200 which carries'the contact terminals 41 is IllOVf-l'lltE, and this is for the purpose of moving the the resistance coils 40 so as to si|nultancendsof the contam terminals or rods 41 over 'ously'change the resistance of all the branch circuits leading to the key operating magnet's,'thus providing means for changing or adjusting the effective strength of all such magnets to which circuit maybe completed y engagement of their corrcsponding com tact fingers 32 with the contn'ct-- bar 31. To provide for the desired movement of the bar 200,'it is-sh0wn as arranged to beinovcd by 2-01 -extending from a rock shaft '202 which is rocked through an .ar m 203 by a longitudinally movable operating rod 204. The rod wise connected so as to permit of manual 204 is provided with a suitable-hand piece 162, or may be othermovement of-the bar 200 and corresponding adjustment of-thc resistance in the circuits to the key operating" magnets when desired. Means are also 'slrifting thebar 200 for controlling theres is' tance in the circuits to't'he key operating megnets', a plurality of resistance orexprcssimi" controlling ma nets, the circuits- 'to .which'are'controlled by-the music sheet, being provided -for-this purpose. As shown,

snch'magnets, F, '-F M and Piarefprovided for causing the 'tures being and the rod 204 being su'ch'thnt when the ..magnet F is energized the movement of'its armature will cause the bar 200 and contactrods .41 to be shifted to thetposition shown in which the resistance coi s 40 are practicnlly or entirely cut out ofthe key operating circuits, and when the maKiet FM is enir provided for automatically bar 20( 'zind contact -te''rminals-orrods 4l to be moved to the posioperating magnets, theirarihu connected with the operating'rod 204, the connection between the nnnatures gized, the other two magnets being dead, the i shiftcd to the position in which all or prac- .movement of its armature will cause the bar 4 operating magnets corinfctsnrthsreSmtance 2 coil iq-from which connection is made bym and when the magnet a-ting magnets. i

ticully all of each resistance coil will be inserted in its correspondingcircuit, The circuits to these mam. i FM and P are controlled by three of the contact fingers 3-2, which in turn are controlled by suitably placed pcrtorntimis in the music sheet 30. nets are connect d with a positive ole or me batte each of the magnt is connected with one of the contact rods 41 by a wire d. As there of providing a variable resistnuvc in it "c circuits, no resistunoe'coils are provided between the contact rods with which the wii I connect and their corre- SPOHlllliL'; contact fingers 32, the ends of the rods. which fornniformity zirccarried by the bar 900, making sliding contact with suitable contuct. l'JlOCl-IS :0 occupying the same relative position with relation to these contact rods and the corresponding contact fingers as the resistance coils 4.0 occupywith' relation to the contact rods and contact fin: gcrs connected in the circuits to the key 0 er- From the sect-ion'Gen of the contact-bar 31 with which the contact fingers 32 for the magnets F, FM and P make. contact connection is madewith-the negative pole of the battery through a wire 0 ind suitable connections"hereinafter de: scribed. .Pcdnl operating magnet-s LP and S11 are also provided-and connected in circuits including contact fingers of the transmitting or controlling mechanism for affording automatic control of the pedals by means of suitably placed perforations in the music sheet. These magnets are also shown as of the two-pole type, the pivoted armatrues 21 of which are respectively connected 10 through wire 0 and with the loud and soft pedal devices of the piano. The magnet LP is connected with the positive pole of the battery, as shown, through the wire and is zilsoconnected by a wire 1 with two the contact fingers 32, such .cbnnectionbeing through the correspending two contact rods 41 which, as in the case of the connection for the resistance controlling magnets, engage suitable contact blocks 4'0 in place of the resistance .coils provided for the. key operating circuits.

The magnet SP is similarly connected with the positive pole of the battery by wire 0, and by wire f with two of the contactfingers 32 through their corresponding contact rods 41 the ends of which are in sliding contact with blocks 40'. From the section PC of the contactbi1' 31 with which the contact fingers 32 for the magnets SP and the' negative pole of the battery through the pedaloperating magnets wit-hr two of the contact fingers'32 permits'of the control of each of these magnets by perforations in LP mzike-contact,-connection is made withand this is of great advantage in case either pedal to be held in ,bpcrntive position for F: cousidcruble lcngthbf time, since it avoids the necessity of forming a corresp-ondinglyv long perforation in the music sheet and enables the desired result to be secured by a succession of sho'rter perforations ulternutely placed in the two lines of the music sheet corresponding to the two contact fingers which contifol the pedal magnetcircuit. The weakcning bf the sheet which would result from the presence of a very long perforation thcrein is thus avoided. To provide for manual control of the pedal operating magnets connection is made from the wires f and f by wires g and g:respectively, to suitable finger keys or push buttons LIB and SP8 from which connection'is made back to the battery as before. The wire 0 from the sections ,GenC and PC of the contact bar 31 leads to ix switch GenX from which connection is made to the common return wire'k. This switch thus serves to put into or out of operation the devices for autol matically mntrolling the means for varying the resistance in the lcey operating circuits and for automatically controlling the cir' cuits to the pedal operating magnets, that is, this switch controls what may be termed the general expression controlling devices of the playing apparatus! The push buttons LPB and SPB'also coylnect with the returnwire Jr, and this wire and return wire I) from the key operziting m gnets, connect with a. wire 1'. which leads to tin automatic circuit breaking device 55 from which wiire i' 'connects to the main switch 139 fronrwhich '1). wire leads to the negative pole-of the but tern. 4

The purpose of the circuit breaker 55 is to automatically open the circuits of the key operating magnetspedal magnets and expression controlling magnets when the sheet approaches the end of its run the' circuit breaker being for this urp'osecontrolled by 110 alsuitably placed per oration in the music sheet. As shown, this circuit breaker consists of two contact/terminals 5 and 6, which are normally in contact during the opera.- tion of the -apparatus, and one of which; 6, 1 15- is under spring tension to move away from the other and is pressed into cont-act; there-- with by an arm 66 extending from an 0 rating member 64 mounted on the shaft '0 the rocking bridge 34:15 shown inthe diagram. The member 64 and arm 66 ere he ld in-the position shown by the armature 560itime}; net TM, these parts being as shown and: full; described in said Patent. N075 3,809Q1Th t-rip magnet TM is connected with fihefsu ply wire a by awire I, -and y. wire I with one of the contsct fingeifsw; through the corresponding contact" 41' and contact block 40.- This contact "go either one of two lines in the music sheet,-

contact bar 31 which is conne ted wire 2' leading to the circuit breaker T ll'tllll wlncl'r connection Ls made back to the battery before described. ger which is included the section T0 of the eonta t bar duri g the playing operatlon of h apparat but with the together by nieans of their l I l l l l l t l l when the music sheet reaches the end of its 5 run, or when all oi the perloraiion therein for controlling the c ating magnets have passed the trailing points 38, a pert'oratit'in c mes beneath the trailing point corresponding to this contact finger, thereby causing the engagement of this contact linger with the section 'lt'l to close'tlle circuit to the trip magnet, where upon the movement of ti armature 5t; re leases the arm (36 permitting the bridge 34, member 64 and arm 66 to rotate as described in said Patent No. 753,809, and the contact terminal 6 of the circuit breaker being thus permitted to move away from the terminal 5, the common return circuit is opened at this point and further energizing of the key operating magnets. pedal magnets and ex )ression controlling magnets prevented.

fhe motor by which the winding and rewinding rolls for the music sheet are driven is represented at 134, the coInn-etimi of the motor in circuit with the l'mttery being by wires 0 and s leading from a positive pole of the battery to the motor and from the motor by wires t and i to the main nWlUlll 139 and thence back to the battery by wire k.

The apparatus as thus far described is substantiallysimilar in its operation to that shown and described in said Patent No, 753,809, (littering thmeli'om mainly in the use of the sectional contact bar 31, the Jurpose of which will be hereinafter descri ed, instead of the single piece contact bar of the patent; in the arrangennmt of the resistance varying means for the key operating circuits so that the resistance coils are stationary and the contact rods or terminals are moved relatively thereto, instead of having the resistance coils more, as in the patent; in having double contact linger connections for each of the pedal operating circuits; and in the substitution of a switch for breaking the circuit connection to the gen eral expression controlling and pedal operating magnets, in place of the mechanical means shown in the oatcnt, for preventing the closing of the circuits to these magnets by their corres 'ionding contact fingers.

The additional features and arrangements of parts and electrical connections shown arid which serve to provide expres ion controlling means for the eni ihas ung of individual notes: and also for a sapplemental general exprc on control. will now be de scribed.

The l(e operating magnets 5 are grouped irruils ot' the he; open l t l l l I l l l l operating circuit onzuwtions arc'ording to the. ronsonanre ot' the tones produced through the operation of the piano keys to which such magn ts are connwted, that is, magnets ctu'respoinh ing to tone prmlueinn devices for producing Zones; of the same note name form a group, th se eori'espondn1g to tones of an other note name torn) another group, and

The magnets for operating the ft keys form one group. tlnm: for operating the Adi keys another group. those for operating the 1) keys another group, and so n, all the magnet for the entire keyboard being thus connected in twelve groups, each grou 3i corresponding to the series of tones of the same name which are produced through the action of the correspondingly named finger keys. The connection of the hey operating magnets in separate groups effected, as shown for the magnets for the A keys and the A47: keys, by connecting the magnets of each group with adjoining or neighboring contact rods and contact fingers 32 of the transmitting or controlling mechanism, and providing a separate seetion of the contact bar 31 for each group or section of the seriesv of contact fingers each of such sections of the contact being connected to a circuit controlling switch by which the eleetromotive force of the current supplied. to the grou 1 of briinch circuits including such section 0 i the. contact b) till,

bar and its corresponding contact finger:

and n'iagnets may be varied. As shown, for example, the magnets for operating the keys are each-connected by a wire it with one of the group of contact fingers 3: formed by the first eight at the extreme left hand end of the transmitting or con trolling mechanism as shown in the diagram, such connection being made through the corresponding contact rods ll and re sistaneo coils 40. This group of eight conta t fingers make contact with a section AC of the contact bar 31. In a similar manner the eight magnets for operating the Ah: keys of the piano are connected by wires (1 with a second group of eight contact tinge 's adapted to make contact with a "il' li AqiC of the contact bar 31; and similar connections will be made from \ach grmip of key operating magnets corresponding t the diti'erently named keys of the )iano. to a group of the proper number o'l contact fingers arranged together to make contact with a section of the contact bar. The con tactbar section AC is connected by a wire in with an electrically operated circuit controlling switch AX through which connection is made to one or the other of two wires 71 and i which connect with. a source of electrical energy, the wires is supplying current of a higher voltage than is supplied by wire a. Fimilarly, the contact section after described provide for what may he termed a enables in i-vidual tones to be emplu it; the manner before pointed out.

A#C is connected by a wire m with an 5 electrically operated circuit controlling switch A#X through which connection is made with one or the other of the supply wires 11. and at. Similar connections and circuit controlling switches will he provided for the sections of the contact-liar Corresponding to the ten remaining groups of key o 'ieraiing magnets.

The supply wires n and it instead of be ing connected directly with the battery or other source of electrical energy are, for the purpose of providing means for changing the electromotive force of the current sup-- plied to all of the hey operating circuits. connected with the battery through an elee tricul y operated double circuit controlling switch AL. This switch All as shown comprises a pair of connecting plates a! and of mounted on a pivoted disk 205 ol. fiher or other insulating material. The wires n and it connect through suitable contact terminals with the plates (11 and a l respectively, and the plate (Ll, when the carrying disk in the position shown, is connected with a positive pole of the battery 10 through the wire 0' and a branch wire connecting with th plate (IZ through a suitable contact ticrnon-"il. hroug'h this connection the lowest rot current is supplied to the operating mag such current being, for example. an m volt current. The connecting plate when the disk is in the position shown, it: connected by a Wire 0" with a pole o battery for supplying, for example, a volt current to the key operating min through the wire it. \Vhen the earn disk 205 is shifted in the direction of the arrow, the plate (11 is moved out of engagement with the contact terminal. oi the wire and into engagement with the contact terminal of the wire 0' so to form a (ffi'lb nection for supplying a ten volt current through the wire n, and the plate at then connects with the contact terminal of a wire 1: leading to a twelve volt, for example, terminal of the battery 10, thereby making connection for supplying a twelve volt current through the Wire n. By shifting the switch AL, therefore, in the example shown, the current sup lied through the wires a and u may be c anged from eightand ten volts respectively to ten and twelve volts I 1 respectively, or vice versa. and this change will of course affect all the key operating magnets to which circuit may be completed. This switch AL and the means for operating it hereinafter described thus form a supplemental general expression controlling means, While the series of switches AX, 8m, with the operating means therefor hereinoup expression control whit}; i

The. zirmiiiwontroiling switch AX wnimlling the ci cuits to the group or key opt-rutxu 1 for operating the A eys is ant" n'lroilml lo" aware: of

ere 1 3 A\ non the mutual. l) ,l fiontavi on; B ntart it-mg connected in. i ,il' leading ihr mgh the inagntt of said email-lilting iion shown tl "1 to u n J "u tron: tin 'i' th conta t bar with wire r the low voltage urr nt 1 upcwiing magnets oi? the group Winn the o t finger the cunt l l I u i conta t a, o. whiin Lt ongh such CYRHQIF ling switches AX autonmtically eon-- l'et "ghperform sheet i o vi'h'i'fil to close tlz; circuit tor operating such switch. and the section of the contact; bar 251 corresponding to such group of key operating magnets will thereby be connected with the higher voltage wire it and 3 cur rent of increased electroinotive force there bv supplied to the magnet. or magnets in that articular group to which circuit is completed through their contact fingers 32. The shifting of the controlling switch, AX or A#X. em. for the operating circuits of each of the groups of the key operating magnets than changes the potential strength of action of the u'iagncts ot' the group by changing the elertromotire torrr available for nergizing ea h magnet of the group, and this change in the available clectromolive force and corresponding change in the potential strength of action of the magnets is secured without causing any, or substantially any. delay or acceleration in the risiig of the current in the operating circuit. to its full operating value, and therefore, with ut atl'ecting the delay of the operation thiniag'niuis or tone producing devices. ft. the scrotal conturt sections AXC and ."iiixt etc. will be connected with a conr ino'n return .Vll't the contact finger corr s windingto such contact. Htlllfitm might. be grouped together and a single contact section su stituted for the several indit'id ual contact sections, as will be readily undcistood.

danual control of the circuit controlling switches AX and Aat'cX is provided by ltt uim of pu.-h buttons or finger lteys A B and Aiili connect d between the wires 0 and o respectively and the return wire h by wirv and 1; so that by means of either ot these push buttons circuit may be closed to the corresponding circuit controlling switch tor raising the voltage of the currcnt. supplied to the corresponding group of key optn'ating magnets. Similar linger keys and connections will be provided for the controlling switches corr sponding to the remaining groups of circuits and key operating magnets with which the instrument will he provided. The switch (1X serves to ut out the c ntact fingers and ontact sections through the operation of which the circuit mutt-oiling switches AX, etc... are automatically controlled.

The double circuit controlling switch A L for changing the voltage of the current supplied through the wires n and 'n is automatically controlled by the music sheet, bein for this purpose connccttal with one of the contact fingers 32 which makes contart with a section All of the contact bar 31. When this contact section ALC 1s engaged by its tmrres umding contact finger 32 and the switch GX is closed, circuit will be comphetcd through the magnet of the switch All as follows :--starti1 ig from the battery 10 by wire 0' to the switch magnet, thence by wire 'r to one of the contact rods 41 and its corresponding block 40 and contact tinger 32 to contact ALC, and thence by wire 7) to switch GX and by wires it, 2', contact breaker 55, Wire 5, main switch 139, and wire A:,.l)ack to the battery. The switch AL normally rests in the position shown in the diagram, in which the wire it is connected with the eight volt pole of the battery and the wire it with the ten volt; pole. \Vhcn the switch magnet is energized, however, the carrying: disk 905 is shifted to connect the wire 71 with the ten volt pole of the battery and wire it with the twelve volt pole of the battery in the manner hereinhet'orc )ointed out. Manual control of this switch is provided by means of a. finger key or push button A Ll; connected by wire a be tween the wire I and return wire it so that hv closing the "ircnit. at. this push button the circuit will be completed to the switch magnet independently of the automatic circuit controlling means.

The ronnectimi of the operating magnets in groups each of which contains the magnctg corresponding to tone producing devices for producing tones of the same note name, by connecting the circuits for each group of magnets so as to he C(Hlll'OllCCl b a group of adjacent devices of the transmitting or controlling mechanism, of ad vantage ii'nlependently of the expression control resulting therefrom, in that the erfm'zltiiils in the music sheet for control ing the operation of the transmitting or eontroh ling mechanism will usually be more evenly distributed trarrevcrscly of the sheet than is the case with sheets which are perforated for use with the old style of controlling or operating mechanism where the devices with which the perforations (o-act are arranged in order corresp mding to the succession of tones in the musical scale. This advantage of an imprtwenient in the music sheet result ingfrom ari'ang'ii'ig the devices of the controlling mechanism which cooperatewith the perforations in the music sheet in successive groups. each group containing: devices corresponding to tones of the same note name, is not peculiar to a iiontrolling mechanism of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 1, but applies to perforated music sheets intended for use with any form of controlling mechanism in which the devices for ctkiperating with the perforations of the music sh'e'et are arranged so that the devices corresponding to tone producing devices for producing tones of the same note name will be together. An example of the dillerenee in the arrangement of the perforations in a music sheet uch intended for a controlling mechanism in: which the devices for l-oiiperating with the; perforations of the sheet. are arranged i order corresponding tot the successive tones 130 ios . producing: devices of the same note nznuc. on

of tho musical stale, and ii sheet intended l for use with n L'Ollll'fllllllg u'ioclmnrsin'rn i x: whi h the (le -Juror: for (JO-flLtlllgf with (in; per men r up to in wl' -iill g m ans in tlu: rounw-lions t l lac w-ltngo of {h ruriin'lepcu leni iznunuzlicullv oporzucil cxprc luxurious of the sheet are zirrnugcil inmuw cessive gri'inps. each group continuing ilevices corre ponding to tones of the same note lulns for ruin-2 2. 1 lllll'3l!mHI comprisi name. if} iliustrnlr tl by Figs. 2 and I3. Fig in oinliinuiii :1 plurality ol'1n:i;:nct:-=. Xiiiii 2 representing :1 portion of a sheet such 9* of uii it is ((l in opc'ru .c :1 {our pro lust ro l rod t and Fig. 3 representing iii e' 'ii. ilcv'ii of ihiii. "ii-min m. r nnc lions' lffil'l't.-l'l(lllllHg poriiou it. ii slwcl. siirh Lr. l :nwi'p uwll'u l whi h oprrnlc the hcrciol'orccommonly in use for mining llll' i ll -f)lf l l lowi -i s of the some nolo production of the szuuo n'iusic. 'llw uu ii-w f llillhi'. :i. gilnriiiil}; of r \\ltil) (ii-vices each represcniml by rho pcrforntiom in the slim-i 1 oi' li (\ii' illll.- il ll ll ifl'll o opornlion Shown in Fig 2 Hiill l sllUWJl in Mi i or we 4. M of tiii-il iuug'uets liy nary mu ical notation below llu so lis 'urc. i cu rent l llVUl'Wl It will he soon lhut the ncrfornliou, in l iiii'irc oi electrical energy. 2 are much more evnly (llhil'llHl Lil ll'l l 5 i i'hi-rci'rom in {he magnets rorscly of the shoot than in Fig. :1 min} :l l." mil grin: fill l stiiil conirolliuuf iloviccu. hotter distribution of the pcrl rnlioi, fin clcctrifiilly-opcrznoil musical in avoids the w nlorningofthe sh a-l which in I *Lriunoz t. oon'ipri-iug the coinliinnlion of quez: li results rom porloiuiions being ii i {MN-'21P:Hullng iloriu. -1-ouno 'lioi;s to group cull-:1 'l fiflij ;-Z(:ll1l.';1S shown in l',' ih lononrlimling ill".li'0.5- of thc iustruinml umi zn'oi l l nl iiity oi' the sheet llll' hllli? int gro n mine ri 1o-n; mi-.:isonrw crunmlnl or hunt on a line of succcesir 1 of i rtm :i vnor v onnection therefrom 'FOIllllUlL-h21il(l llSOfnfildfillllblllliyfifI! 1 to the on i -oniw li ns. iiulcpmulcnl nullstretching of the sheet due to huncli ngg' o! Inni .-\prc:- iou onfrolling tlw perforations near one edge of Lin slim t 3 nounsrnniiewions lo ou h of ill-'- while the Pavilions of the shoe! nenr tho i lzer to \ur the iollun'c ol' the edge are left free from perforations. 1 fr-lii-"ii i m ouch of {one n lult will al o he understood that while lilo i ailin novices of ouch oup why (he cviuvcnfion relates more espec ally to elem-i pro 'on oi" onc in th groups may ho (will operated automatic playing apparatus g rm'i l for musical instruments, yet some fifi ll. f ii. in cliriria" musical inof tho invention. C(lYlSldQl'Pll both from its 3 slrunu-nl 'l illlliullfl connection to group method mu! apparatus side. are nor in he I (in: lpii pi u'iup; ii-vices of the instriu limilci'l to such electrically operated pluj u i: incur into nun f the sunnnotcq'uunc. apparatus, hutupplv gen rally to i .l jllli" t perlo (he tone-producing (l0 fUIlIls of musical instruments and lilf is l gi li lff ialiotricni cum-5 v. elm-ii ii l apparatus therefor. comm-nous h rn-own ouch one of the mug- Whut is claimed is:- i I niw and me source of electri- 1. A, musical instrument, comprising in m l mun ctcil kit different porcncombination, actuating devices, menus in l i1! win-cc f electrical enor rv, group the actuating devices of tho insu-u- I (ions to the source. went into groups of the some nOto-nnmc. I i Lo vary the current in and means to auton'iatically simultaneously i Zuni n not -short t control {ho increase the strength of action of all ol the mull shiftng means. \i'llC'HlH l groups of actuating devices. err-pres ion proiluccil by the tono-p-rorliici;

2 An electricallyoperated automatic ,5 'leviccii in each group may be varied. it playing musical instrument, comprising, in? T. .\n eleclri lly-opcruled n'rusicol incomhination, means to group the tooe-prostriu'nent, comprising the combination of duc ing devices of the instrument into tone admir ng device. connections to group groups, each group of which contains t ncthe toniwi-"zun n ilciii-e" of the instriunout into groups each including tonencluuting devious: of the some notequime, an operating magn t for each lOlHrflf F-Jfltlilfi device, o. rw SlSl'JillHr! in each connection, a device to iniloiilcnily ionrro llze VOllLilgJ'Q for cash group. menu in rain 1 tuncously vary the ii Mun o in rzivl; mi rlion i'oiwu-h group. ii ncini rrgn'cssion ll-lillltB-Ull'fllllt controlling ilei'ico ro wiry iiu: strength of current ll 1h: iuilepi-iuli-m rolling?- rontrolling mm, 5?. source of electrical energy, and rounevlimm from the sourcc oi eucrgv of dillcrcnl potcir llfll poinrs to the opemt'ing nmgncts and to in ilw mum device, controlling means for each group to vary the strength of current in the operating magnets, :i source ol. electrical energy. :rml connections therefrom to the operating mun ncls :iu'l the controlling means.

3. An clcctricully-operutcil musiml in strumciit, comprisilnr, in combination. connections to group the tOllkFPl'Olllll'lYlQ' ovices of the instrument into groups of the same note-nume, a source of (-lcciirim energy, connections therefrom to the groups. l

operating magnet for each tone-producing: i i

wim pvt-mi:-

swam-Lions flamefrom 30 ihe hrzmuh con:

ling devices.

branch air pzmatm 1 z'z rim.

V in

name. m ma;

v i-nu Pl Jiifhiw Jmwtmrm adapted tna resistance "i at vi es, a general controlling device to efi'ect a general ii'icrease or decrease in the voltage of the current transmitted to the operating connections, and means controlled by the music sheet to operate said general controlling device.

to. An automatic playing apparatus for musical instruments, comprising, in combi nation. a plurality of electrical operating devices to operate the tone-producing devices ot the instrument, means to connect the devices in groups eaci of which contains operating devices that cause the pro duction of tones of the same note name, a general ,expressitin-controlling device and group expression-controlling means comprising a plurality of controlling devices each of which controls the strength of action of a group of said operating devices that actuate toneproducing devices of the same note-name by varying the amount of energy directly available to cause each key operating device of the group to operate.

17. A musical instrument comprising, in combination, electrical key-operating de-- vices to actuate the tone-producing devices of the instrument, branch connections there-.

for to group said devices to produce tones of the same note names, a general expression-controlling means to Vary the resistance of the key-operatin connections, and group cxpression-contro ling means comprising a group ofmagnets, each one oil which controls the strength of action of a group of key-operating devices which actuate the tone-producing devices of the same notaname by varyin the voltage of the current delivered to t e key-operating circuits, a source of electrical energy, and con; nections therefrom to the key-operating dc vices, the branch connections, the xpression-controlling means, and the operating devices. i

18. An electrically-operated automatic la 'in a waratus for musical instruments P P3 l a comprising incombination a plurality of electrically-operated devices, connections therefor arranged in groups, a resistance in each of the connections, a general expression-controlling means to vary the resistance of said operated devices, group expression-controlling means to control the strength of action of the operatin devices in said groups, each group inch in only devices which cause the production 0 tones of the same note-name, and a second en eral expression-controlling means to e ect a general increase or decrease of the voltage of the current transmitted to the operating connections, a source of electrical energy and connections from different potential points trysaid operated devices, the general expression-controlling means, the group expression-controllin means, and the second (impression-controlling means.

trica -ot' the same note-name being located in ad jacent positions, a sectional contact bar having a separate section for each of said groups of circuits, and means to control the electrical connection to .each of saidcontact' sections to vary wthest'ren h of cur rent in the magnet circuits inc uding such section.

20. In an automatic playing musical instrument, the combination, of devices to actuate the tone- 'iroducing devices of the instrument; circuit-closing devices grouped into sections and electrically connected to the devices which actuate tone-produeing devices of the same note-name, a resistance in each connection, means to simultaneously' vary the resistance in each connection of i the tone-actuating devices, means to control the voltage of each of the sections, a switchdevice to vary the general expression of the tone-producing devices,'a source of electriy cal energy, connections to the tone-actuating devices and circuit-closing devices, a return circuit from the actuating devi es, and means including a trip magnet in the return circuit to open the same at the end of the piece being played, substantially as described. I

21. A musical instrument, comprising, in combination, electrical'connections to group the tone producingdevices into groups of the same note-name, an expression-controh ling switch device for the tone-producing devices of each group, a general expressioncontrolling switch device for all of the said grou -controlling devices, a source of elecei'iergy, electrical connections from the source of electrical energy to the groups of tone-producing devices, said group controlling switch devices, and the general eX- pression-controllin'g switch device to supply electric current to the individual tone-producing device of each group 22. A musical instrument, comprising connections to group the tone-actuating de vices into groups of the same note-name, a

source of electrical energy, a switch-controlling device for the tone-actuating devices of each group to supply electrical energy of normal voltage to the actuating devices, connections from the source of energy to the controlling device of -each group, a general electrical ,energycontrolling device to control the voltage supplied to all of the said switch controlling devices to vary the electrical energy supplied thereto, and connections from the source- 0 energy to the general electrical energy-controlling devices, the switch controlling devicesand tothe tone-actuating devices, as

described.

, 23.'In-an electrically-operated musical instrument, the combination, of a contact bar di ded into sections, operating magnets to actuate the tone producing devices, electricontact bar.

-24. In an electrically-operated pianoplayer, a source of electrical energy, key actuating devices, connections from said devices to different potential points of the source of electrical energy, an electro-m'agnctic switch device in the connections to changethe voltage of (the current supplied to the key-actuating devices by opening one of said connections and closinganother, and

and means comprising a noteshi-vt to 1;?

a perforated note sheet for controlling the operation of the switch-device.

25. An electri(rally-operated pianocomprising clectricallyoperaled uat i n devices, a source of. electri. to one connections between said devices and ilill'erent potential points of the source of electrical energy, a single electrounagnetic switch (lovice designed to close one of S'llill connections'and open another to vary the current supplied to the actuating devices. circuit closing devices for the actua rg iltlv'ilt" pl ayer,

the operation of the circuit-chm:lg devir and said switch device.

26.1:1 an electrically-operatorl piano player, a source of electrical energy. key

actuating devices, connections than will do vices to different potential point the source of electrical energy, a e lo olcciro magnetic swit h device in the connections to change the voltage of the current supplied to the key-actuating devl and controlling means to cause the operation of the switch-device.

In testimony whereof, I have l'tcreunt set my hand, in the presence of t n, cubsoribing Witncs JOHN F. ii ll l1 lii'.

Witnesses: 7

Gnome: .l". Rnnss, EL-izAns'rIi l nnnniah 

